Kathy (back left) and Jasmyn Hurley, Sharyn Gray, John Hurley with Kiah (front left), Kohen andJayde Hurley, and Kohen’s Kist. PHOTO: Bob May
BOB MAY
THERE was a bit of barracking for one of the runners at Gawler greyhounds last Tuesday.
The greyhound attracting the encouragement was Kohen’s Kist, which was competing in the first event for the day over the 400m trip.
Jumping well from box one to take an early lead, Kohen’s Kist was then quickly headed by Long Gully Simon (six), who got out to a length break but was not able to extend it.
Rounding the home turn, the two dogs were on level terms and that is when the urging started, with Kohen’s Kist going on to win by just under a length.
Second was Long Gully Simon for Angaston’s Paula Hearnden, and third was Come On Leyna (eight) for Moppa’s Vadim Roz.
With a very heavy track, Kohen’s Kist’s winning time, like many others on the day, was not fast, but the win brought a lot of joy to the winning trainer, Kiah Hurley, and her band of supporters.
This was Kohen’s Kist’s 24th start without saluting the judge, so when the black dog was in a winning position, it sparked Kiah’s supporters to urge the dog on.
Kohen’s Kist was bred, reared and broken in by Kiah, who described the run as a “battling win”.
Kiah had faith Kohen’s Kist would eventually win, but was never confident when that might be.
The dog is named after Kiah’s two-year-old son, Kohen, who loves the dog and is already walking a couple of others around at home.
The “Kist” part of the name comes about from Kiah’s grandfather, John, who raced dogs under that name with his late brother Peter.
It is a real family affair, with Kiah’s sisters Jasmyn and Jayde, and her grandparents John and Kathy all helping each other at the kennels and at the track.
Kiah likes to breed a litter or two, and has seven racing dogs, and her sisters another four.
It is the love of the greyhounds that keeps Kiah involved, and the family support is a big help.
Despite having their own dogs, Kiah and her sisters are always at the track and find time to help out other trainers.
Gawler races are held every Friday in the late afternoon timeslot, and Tuesdays starting around midday.
